Few things irritate me more than someone calling me during game time. Most of my family knows better, but I got a call from a cousin in the middle of the first quarter. Really didn't have anything to talk about. It was all I could do from launching into an expletive laden tirade. Please people...if you have a football fan in your life, don't call them during the game. Anyway...my thoughts on the tack game...
1. I thought Gardner Minshew had a decent game overall, but he started off high with his passes. One of Minshew's high passes resulted in an INT. I think Minnshew also cost us a score by trying to outrun a tack defender to get outside and taking a 20 yard sack instead of throwing the ball away. The passing game as a whole was off, early There were at least a couple of plays with receivers in the same area. But Minshew warmed up and kept us in the game. Ironically, it was a low pass late that killed our chances to win the game as his very low pass was batted at the LOS and picked off by Landry.
2. I was pleasantly surprised by the job the Jaguars defense did against Derrick Henry. Big runs were minimized and for once, we didn't look like "Little Giants" trying to tackle that guy. The outside runs didn't kill us like they normally seem to do with Henry. I think Abry Jones played one of his best games as a Jaguar since he first got here. That said, our pass defense was a disaster, especially early on. How open could Jonnu Smith possibly be on that first play?!? The only way he could have been more open is in pre-pre game warmups.
3. Continuing on that theme, mistakes killed this team. Aside from the INTs referenced above, the blown coverage on Smith reference above flipped the field early, leading to the Titans first TD. Lambo has been great for us, but he cost us four points, by not executing the squib kick properly, giving the tacks great field position right before half, and then by missing the extra point. Teven Bryan grated on my nerves with an off sides penalty when he was lined up on the nose of the ball and still jumped. That penalty got the tacks out of long yardage and into a more favorable down and distance.
4. I understand why they couldn't play him at will early in his career, but I think the last two weeks have shown Myles Jack has found his home on the weak side. Today, he was all over the field again, though the PI against him was kinda iffy. I've seen more blatant PI NOT called. But as far as I am concerned, Jack needs to stay at Will for the rest of his career.
5. Many on this board, including me, have identified the offensive line as a liability on this team. But generally speaking, I thought the OL played their best game against Tennessee in quite some time. Generally, they did a good job protecting Minshew. That 20 yard sack Minshew took was on him. He had ample time to get rid of the ball. There was another sack or so, but that was by a late blitz by a safety. They also opened up holes for Robinson. For the first time, I saw the promise in Jawaan Taylor that everyone else claimed to see last year. I'm not sure what happened on that play where Clowney cmae in completely unblocked, but I took encouragement by the OL's performance in this game.
6. Another fine game by Chark.
7. Rookie Watch:
I. C.J. Henderson-I thought he had another good game today. Not in terms of pass break ups or INTs. But he was involved in at least three solo tackles onDerrick Henry on outside runs, stopping them from being long and disastrous runs.
II. K'Lavon Chaisson-Showed explosiveness in notching his first sack. As I recall, he beat the LG and made him look foolish in bringing down Tennehill. Good job.
III. LaViska Shenaul-Had another good showing. In fact, it was better than last week even though he didn't score a TD this week. He showed his athleticism and versatility on snagging a high pass for a first down, a low pass for a first down, and had about 2-3 other catches. He also had some good runs, one on a jet sweep, and a tough run inside that would have made many RBs proud by running into the hole and lowering his shoulder. Lofton, never one to heap a lot of praise on Jaguars players, actually had some good things to say about Shenault. If he stays healthy and continues to develop, he will be a good weapon for this team.
IV. Devon Hamilton-I know he played. I saw him in there, but I didn't notice him on any play. Considering how show going it was for Derrick Henry, without reviewing, I will assume he played SOME tole in slowing him down, but to what degree I don't know.
V. Josiah Scott-DNP. Was ruiled inactive.
VI. Ben Bartch-Did not see him play.
VII. Collin Johnson-Had two throws come his way by my count, with no catches. The first was high and it resulted in an INT. The other one were in the red zone and was batted away in a good defensive play. Had CJ come down with it, it would have been lauded as a good catch. I am encouraged by how Gruden is using him, as well as Minshew's seeming confidence in all of his receivers.
VIII. Shaquille Quarterman-I think I may have left him off last week. My apologies if I omitted him. I did not see notice him today.
IX. Daniel Thomas-Did not notice him today
X. Tyler Davis-Inactive and DNP due to knee injury
XI- Jake Luton-DNP
XII. Chris Claybrooks-Had difficulty handling a kickoff and a punt. The kickoff muff resulted in Jaguars ball at their own 11, and was inchaes away from being recovered by the tacks. We can't have mistakes like that.
XIII. James Robinson-Had his first 100 yard game as a Jaguar, including a 46 (?) yard and a TD, his first. What made me particularly proud of him was a blitz pickup he had in te second half.
8. Once again, Josh Allen had a couple of nice pressures, but no sacks. Hopefully he will find his mojo against Miami this Thursday.
9. Though Shatley did well his time in, I really hope Linder is not seriously injured and will return soon.
10. Bottom line: It's a loss to the tacks, so it always sucks, but unlike most losses to the tacks, it wasn't the morale sucking and pride swallowing siege mosst losses to them seem to be. For once, they didn't run the ball down our throats. They didn't produce the disastrous pick 6. They didn't abuse our QB and shut down our running game. We had a legit chance to win, and in fact it was a winnable game. Still it's a loss to the tacks...so it sucks a little extra on general principle.
Worst to 1st. Curse Reversed!
